Lifestyle & Wellness
Emotional Wellness: Positive Attitude & Smart Social Media Habits Can Transform Your Lifestyle
Understanding Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness is the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions effectively. It involves recognizing and experiencing many positive and negative emotions and being kind to oneself. [1][2] Emotional wellness is essential daily, enabling individuals to cope with life challenges and manage stress effectively. It also contributes to overall mental and physical well-being and fosters positive relationships with others. [3] Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize emotional wellness and incorporate strategies for improving it into daily life. [4]
There are various strategies exist that every individual can use to improve their emotional wellness. Building resilience, reducing stress, getting quality sleep, being mindful, coping with loss, and strengthening social connections can help improve emotional health. [4]
Maintaining social relationships, in particular, can significantly impact emotional wellness. A positive social network can increase self-esteem, provide comfort and joy, and prevent loneliness. [5][1][6] However, excessive use of social media can fuel anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. [5][7]
Therefore, using social media mindfully and prioritizing face-to-face interactions with others is vital to improving emotional wellness. [2][4]
In addition to incorporating strategies for improving emotional wellness into daily life, individuals can engage in activities that promote emotional health. Being positive, practicing gratitude, engaging in physical activity, and engaging in creative activities can improve emotional wellness. [8][9] By prioritizing emotional wellness and incorporating strategies and activities to improve it, individuals can experience improved mental and physical health and overall well-being.
The Role of Lifestyle in Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness is closely linked to lifestyle, as our daily behaviors and routines significantly impact our emotional well-being. Research suggests that being socially connected to others can ease stress, anxiety, and depression, boost self-worth, provide comfort and joy, prevent loneliness, and promote overall emotional wellness. [5] Thus, cultivating healthy habits and creating a positive lifestyle can improve emotional health and well-being.
Adopting healthy habits is essential for promoting emotional wellness. Strategies such as building resilience, reducing stress, getting quality sleep, being mindful, coping with loss, and strengthening social connections effectively improve emotional health. [4][10][4]
Additionally, surrounding oneself with a positive social network can increase self-esteem and promote effective communication, improving social wellness. [6] Therefore, incorporating these practices into one’s daily routine can enhance healthier and more fulfilling life.
Creating a healthy lifestyle for emotional wellness involves making intentional choices about daily habits and routines. This may include prioritizing self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, and spending time in nature. It may also involve setting boundaries around social media use, as excessive use of social media has been linked to negative impacts on mental health. [9][7][9] By making conscious choices about daily habits and routines, individuals can create a lifestyle that promotes emotional wellness and supports overall well-being.
The Impact of Positive Attitude and Social Media on Emotional Wellness
Maintaining a positive attitude can have a significant impact on emotional wellness. Research suggests that positive thinking can aid stress management and is essential to overall health and well-being. [11][12]
A positive attitude doesn’t mean eliminating negative emotions like sadness or anger. Still, it means being able to bounce back from those emotions and maintain a hopeful outlook. [13]
Strategies such as practicing gratitude, reframing negative thoughts, and focusing on strengths can help individuals cultivate a positive attitude and improve emotional wellness. [14]
Take Home Message
Social media has become integral to modern life but can positively and negatively affect emotional wellness. Being socially connected to others can provide comfort and joy, boost self-worth, and prevent loneliness. [5] However, excessive use of social media has been linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. [5][15] It can also fuel FOMO (fear of missing out) and other mental health issues. [5]
To maintain emotional wellness in the age of social media, it is essential to set boundaries, prioritize in-person connections, and limit exposure to harmful content. [4][8]
To maintain emotional wellness, building resilience, reducing stress, getting quality sleep, being mindful, coping with loss, and strengthening social connections is crucial. [4] Social health involves building healthy, nurturing, supportive relationships and fostering genuine connections with those around you. [6]
While social media can be a positive force in mental wellness, it is essential to balance its use with in-person interactions and self-care practices. [9]
Individuals can improve their well-being by prioritizing emotional health and implementing positive attitudes and social media strategies.
Citation
1. What is emotional health and well-being? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/emotional-wellbeing Accessed 2023–04–29
2. Emotional Wellness | Health & Wellness. https://www.unh.edu/health/emotional-wellness Accessed 2023–04–29
3. Four Dimensions of Wellness. https://www.edwards.af.mil/About/4DW/ Accessed 2023–04–29
4. Emotional Wellness Toolkit. https://www.nih.gov/health-information/emotional-wellness-toolkit Accessed 2023–04–29
5. Social media and Mental Health. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm Accessed 2023–04–29
6. Why is Social Wellness Important? | Student Life. https://www.unomaha.edu/student-life/presidents-wellness-committee/social-wellness.php Accessed 2023–04–29
7. 7 Healthy Habits for social media. https://www.conehealth.com/services/behavioral-health/7-healthy-habits-of-social-media/ Accessed 2023–04–29
8. 9 Tips to Maintain Emotional Wellness in Times of. https://mcleancare.org/maintaining-emotional-wellness/ Accessed 2023–04–29
9. 7 WAYS SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BENEFIT MENTAL HEALTH. https://paintedbrain.org/editorial/7-ways-social-media-can-benefit-mental-health-2 Accessed 2023–04–29
10. Seven Dimensions of Wellness. https://www.grcc.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/professional-development/employee-wellness/seven-dimensions-wellness Accessed 2023–04–29
11. Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950 Accessed 2023–04–29
12. Positive Thinking: Definition, Benefits, and How to Practice. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-positive-thinking-2794772 Accessed 2023–04–29
13. Positive Emotions and Your Health. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/08/positive-emotions-your-health Accessed 2023–04–29
14. 12 Tips for Keeping a Positive Attitude, Even in Tough Times. HTTP Accessed 2023–04–29
15. Social media use can be positive for mental health and well. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/social-media-positive-mental-health/ Accessed 2023–04–29
